Should I be worried (granite install)?

18 years ago

I'm sure I already know the answer to this, but I'm going to ask it anyway.

I bought pre-fab granite counters from a local supplier. These are 2cm pre-bullnosed 8'foot pieces. The supplier only sells, but recommended an installer.

I spoke to the installer this morning and he already started with telling me how difficult it will be to install my blanco silgranit sink because it's so heavy. Then I asked him if he uses a plywood substrate and he said he "builds a frame" on regular counters but uses plywood on islands. Huh? I have a 12" overhang on my island and I'm guessing he's not going to use anything other than the plywood to support it, although I don't know that for a fact, but based on our conversation I'm guessing that's the route he'll take.

I need to find another installer, right? This guy is clueless, right?

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Comments (5)

pbrisjar
18 years ago
2 cm granite needs a full plywood base.

Overhangs that long need bracing of some sort but that's not necessarily the granite installer's job.

Our installer had no problems with our Silgranit beast.

I'd be calling around.
miaolinwei
18 years ago
So I am guessing that you are gonna get a 3'X8' island piece, with standard cabinet 24" depth, with around 12" overhang, well, that guy is right, plywood is all it needs to support it.

Yes, building support for a heavy sink is a must, and takes some times too. But I mean, he charges for it right? So anything that's charged can be done.

This is very standard job, when choosing a installer, first is recommendation, and second is from listening to how he talks, most of the times, you can tell if he actually knows the trade or not.

Good Luck
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raehelen
18 years ago
Actually,

2cm granite is often supported with strips of plywood. We had ours with full plywood- but it was at DH's request- it was not what they normally do.

We have a 12" overhang with full plywood and angle iron supports in the plywood. From what I've read, just the plywood is NOT enough support for a 12" overhang with 2CM granite.

Sounds like it's time to start looking for someone else- you want someone who is confident in their ability to install your sink, and who will give you more than adequate support for the island overhang- this is not a place where you want bare minimum standards.
Buehl
18 years ago
If your granite is 2 cm thick, then there can be no more then 6" of of unsupported span with a 5/8" subtop....and that doesn't mean the plywood subtop as support!
cork2win
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks everyone. Since these are prefabricated tops I'm having difficulty finding someone else to install them (most places want to sell you the granite AND install, not just install) so I'm probably going to be using this installer. I guess regarding the support for the overhang, we'll have the trim guys install some corbels or something (even though I really didn't want to have to do that) and hope that he knows what he's doing with the sink installation. Ugh.